NKURENKURU – Works minister John Mutorwa has encouraged the regional councils of Kavango West and East to have solid cooperation with his ministry now that they run the maintenance department of the ministry in those regions.
The ministry originally handed over its maintenance functions to regional councils back in 2010 but at the time, there was only one Kavango region. It was eventually split into two regions in 2013 and last week, the minister officially handed over the maintenance functions to the respective regional councils.
Before the handover, the works minister and that of urban and rural development as well as the two regional councils inked a five-page agreement that stipulates the functions and powers that the two regional councils will be mandated with in order for them to now do their work.
These functions include managing, implementing and administering the maintenance department on behalf of the works and transport ministry.
Mutorwa explained that the maintenance staff are still responsible to his ministry but their direct supervisors on a daily basis are the regional councils, and on an administrative level, their immediate supervisor is the chief regional officers and other senior officers at the regional councils.
“In the case of delegation, both the ministry and regional council must work together and I hope it is understood particularly by the officials,” he said.
On his part, Urban and Rural Development minister Erastus Uutoni urged the regional councils to ensure that with the resources given at their disposal, the government facilities and infrastructure that are entrusted in their care receive timely attention.
“So, embrace these functions and the accompanying resources as well as the staff members with enthusiasm, professionalism, and above all, with a sense of absolute dedication and accountability,” he said.
Uutoni added that there is an unwavering commitment towards bringing government services closer to the people, adding that the works minister and his team have also commenced in earnest with preparatory work towards the decentralisation of the government garage functions to the regional councils in due course.
– jmuyamba@nepc.com.na